States slap retailer who hoodwinked military members

USA Discounters, Fletcher's Jewelers reach $95 million settlement

A former reporter and bureau chief for broadcast outlets and magazines, Truman Lewis has covered presidential campaigns, state politics and stories ranging from organized crime to environmental protection.
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The attorneys general of 50 states and the District of Columbia have reached a $95.9 million settlement with USA Discounters over allegations that the company used deceptive marketing and unlawful debt collection practices targeting military servicemembers.

The company, which also does business as USA Living and Fletcher’s Jewelers engaged in unfair, abusive, false and deceptive acts and practices, the states charged, including targeting servicemembers and hooking them into deceptively usurious loans, false advertising and illegal collection practices.

The company would also sue servicemembers out of state where they were unable to defend the action, ultimately taking default judgments against them.

“Our servicemembers are not bank accounts for predatory businesses, and I will take every measure to protect them from abusive practices,” said New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman.“We will not tolerate companies with unlawful business practices and deceive consumers, especially veterans and current members of our military and government.”

“This agreement holds USA Discounters accountable for its illegal conduct and compensates servicemembers and veterans for the harm it caused,” said California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris.

The states also alleged that USA Discounters only filed its lawsuits in a few Virginia jurisdictions, no matter the servicemember’s location, deployment status, or residence.

In addition, the states alleged USA Discounters sold overpriced household goods at high interest rates, often using the military allotment system to guarantee payment.

USA Discounters closed its stores in the summer of 2015 before later declaring bankruptcy.

Consumer relief

Under the terms of the resolution, USA Discounters will provide relief to certain former and current customers. The total estimated value to consumers for these restitution measures is approximately $95.9 million, primarily benefiting active and veteran servicemembers.

USA Discounters will:

Write off all accounts with balances for customers whose last contract was dated June 1, 2012 or earlier, and correct the negative comment from the company on those consumers’ credit reports (Approximately $71 million);

Apply a $100 credit to all accounts whose contracts were dated after June 1, 2012, which were not discharged in bankruptcy, and correct the negative comment from the company on those consumers’ credit reports (Approximately $2.89 million);

Write off all judgments not obtained in the correct state, and correct the negative comment from the company on those consumers’ credit reports (Approximately $21.2 million);

Credit all judgments that were obtained in the correct state against members of the military with a credit equal to 50 percent of the original judgment amount (Approximately $728,000);

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